Aftershock

A Novel

By: Joe Lane

Narrated by: Maile S. Gove

Major Penelope Baldwin, accomplished pilot and tactician, could have expected a bright future and stable military career until a dubious flight mission over Al A’Zamiyah, Iraq, results in the loss of her left leg and any opportunity for motherhood.

As Penelope struggles in recovery, her mother Evelyn struggles to secure their financial future and cover mounting medical bills. Buying the lies of disingenuous bankers and marketing shills, Evelyn places her savings within the derivatives market, a bubble that (unbeknownst to her) is on the verge of bursting. The collapse will destroy what’s left of her finances, along with the investments and pensions of countless citizens.

Within months, on a wintry night in Georgia, a coked-up stock trader miscalculates a power turn in a Porsche coupe, sending its right front wheel over the curb and crashing into that which Penelope holds most dear. The stage is set for a dedicated warrior, an American heroine, to turn her sights on those greedy, callous men responsible for ripping away her future.

Baldwin, along with Tessa Montgomery (senior chief, USMC), Cynthia Washington (RN, MSW), and six other highly competent women - all similarly devastated by the avarice, arrogance, and indifference of America’s ruling elite - channel their grief and rage and their search for justice, to become a finely orchestrated and well-financed band of predators.

Several months later, several of the most powerful of America’s financial and political elite are slaughtered in 40-storied monuments to their egos. Then, a terror - a terror so primal that it rends the very fabric of everyday life - is released into the homes, limos, and private jets of America’s quasi-monarchical class.

An invisible society of professional predators is leading a lethal attack on the long-sacred relationship between money and politics.

©2014 Joe Lane (P)2020 Bancroft Press

Cliffhanger

This book's pace moved along fairly well. Some of the narration is a bit odd. However overall the narration is OK. The one thing that I found frustrating is the cliffhanger ending. If you do not care for cliffhanger endings don't read this book it will leave you frustrated.

Fun listen

Wonderful characters. Maile has so many voices. Brings the book to life. Can’t wait to hear her again.